The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Miami Marlins 7-2 during a Friday night series opener at Tropicana Field, despite a standout defensive performance from Marlins rookie catcher Joe Mack. Miami fell to a season-worst five games under .500 at 20-25 following back-to-back struggling starts from right-hander Janson Junk.
Mack, who was called up earlier in May, recorded an accidental trick throw in the middle of the first inning when his toss down to second base struck shortstop Otto Lopez’s warmup ball. The unique play set the tone for the game, which marked Mack’s 10th Major League appearance.
“I’ve never done that in my life, and obviously, I just couldn’t help but laugh,” said Mack, Marlins Catcher. “It was kind of funny. … If I got a million tries, I might be able to do it [on purpose].”
The rookie entered the game with elite minor league defensive credentials but had struggled to throw out base stealers early in his major league career. However, Mack capped the bottom of the sixth inning by throwing out Tampa Bay runner Chandler Simpson at second base with a 1.80-second pop time and an 81.7 mph throw.
Advertisement
Scroll To Continue with Content
“I just know that he’s going to be a guy that you have to look out for,” said Mack, Marlins Catcher. “He’s a very, very fast athlete. It’s just something that you got to prepare for and be ready for at all times.”
Mack continues to adjust to major league pitching, as his offensive statistics sit at a .200/.226/.300/.526 slash line with 11 strikeouts on the season after going hitless in three at-bats on Friday.
“Obviously, I know my bat can definitely wake up a little bit more,” said Mack, Marlins Catcher. “I definitely haven’t shown much on that aspect, maybe it’s just trying to do too much. But defensively, I feel pretty confident with my ability to receive, block, throw the ball. It’s something that they obviously brought me up for, and showing off that, that’s a good thing. Obviously the bat, I think, just needs to wake up a little bit, and when that starts to roll, then we just go.”
Marlins manager Clayton McCullough praised the young catcher’s performance behind the plate despite the team’s ongoing struggles to control the running game.
“His defense has been terrific, and he’s really blocked the ball well,” said Clayton McCullough, Marlins Manager. “He’s received well. That throw tonight was impressive, the exchange and the accuracy, and what he was able to get on it. Even the other one where [Cedric] Mullins stole, he did all he could, he made a good throw up the line, and [Mullins] just beat it. Joe has played very well behind the plate, and I think that’s what we expected coming into this with the ability he has.”
Marlins starting pitcher Janson Junk allowed seven runs on 10 hits, including home runs to Yandy Diaz and Cedric Mullins, over 5 2/3 innings pitched.
“That throw after I came out to get Simpson was amazing and big time, and picked me up in a moment where I was really not in a good head space,” said Janson Junk, Marlins Pitcher. “I was really pissed off, so just seeing him pick me up like that, and still playing with that fire, is great. And I think overall, just behind the plate, he has good energy, he’s encouraging, and I like throwing to him.”
Junk expressed his overall frustration with the outing as the Tampa Bay offense capitalized on his mistakes throughout the evening.
“I think everything that could have happened wrong, happened,” said Janson Junk, Marlins Pitcher. “It was very frustrating. I was trying to battle, and it just didn’t go my way tonight.”
Junk added that the sixth-inning home run by Mullins came directly after an unsettling moment on the field.
“That one leaked a little,” said Janson Junk, Marlins Pitcher. “I think that was more out of frustration. I got to be better in that moment after the ball hits whatever that is up there. Just seeing that I kind of affected me a little bit.”
The Rays utilized left-handed opener Ian Seymour to start the contest, a strategy previously employed against the Marlins by the Washington Nationals. Miami’s Connor Norby hit a solo home run off Seymour, and teammate Jakob Marsee added a three-hit game, but the efforts were not enough to overcome the Rays. Sandy Alcantara is scheduled to pitch the next game for Miami.